At enrollment of our kids, we discussed our concerns/importance of maintaining consistency with school and other therapies which lead to afternoon sessions daily and one day of early dismissal for one of our kids. Later, we learn that we would need to move to the facility's new "block scheduling" or not receive services. This required daily early dismissal from school where other therapies were being received so coordination with the school was necessary prior to this switch. Admin states that we did not agree to the new scheduling, which is true because I won't risk their school attendance/placement. The school did not respond because of a hurricane and the county was shut down for days. Prodigy discontinued both kids' therapy until we got approval and even though, despite the words of the admin, the kids' spots were not held for them. Our kids went weeks without therapy.
Recently one of my kid's days was eliminated with less than 24hr notice (coincidently the agreed upon early day), due to the unavailability of therapists for that day. Admin did call to speak on the changes the day of, but this was impromptu when I was at work and unable to fully discuss. A BCBA offered provide treatment, but Admin denied that idea and accommodation as "it is not feasible to hire a new therapist." Therapists appeared to be reassigned to accommodate other clients, which we found to be preferential discrimination.
As an advocate for my kids, I did have multiple chats regarding this matter which was considered "aggressive behavior" with "defamatory remarks." Admin claims that they have "gone above and beyond by accommodating extended absences and accommodating an egregious amount of untimely late pick-ups." Medical notes were provided when applicable and emergencies/death are unavoidable. Also, if they want kids to be checked out on time, therapists should be ready at pickup time and parents not waiting outside to be let it past the session ending time. Being distracted by using a mobile device to check out kids is disrespectful during the verbal update provided at the end of session.
Though the contract states to be upheld to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, we found this to be false in our experience, specifically noting Ethics Standards 2.02 Timeliness, 2.08 Communicating About Services, 3.01 Responsibility to Clients, 3.04 Service Agreement, 3.12 Advocating for Appropriate Services, 3.14 Facilitating Continuity of Services, 3.15 Appropriately Discontinuing Services, 3.16 Appropriately Transitioning Services.
IN MY OPINION: The administration of this company has effectively displayed the lack of clientele care and compassion for kids of special needs to grow and build life skill. As parents, we have looked past the screen time during sessions and the acceptance of aggressive behavior towards my kids (apparently, it's a constant learning opportunity but not when your child does not feel safe). With this review, admin might find it apt to redirect our issues, HOWEVER, I am a MOM of kids who need someone to advocate for them. Deflecting the issues at hand does not justify what we experienced. Lasty, I did research many avenues to act on so that my kid's services would be reinstated. Unfortunately, the admin cannot be held accountable to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (as listed in their contract) because they are not BCBAs. This negative experience brought us to find another company whose focus on routine, consistency, and overall patient first mindset better match our children's needs and assisted in providing a seamless transition of services. It should be noted that the counselors do seem to genuinely care about their patients, but the same cannot be said for the admin team which ultimately led us to seek therapy elsewhere. read more
